Method and Apparatus for Managing Communication Sessions

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server operably coupleable to an internet protocol multimedia subsystem network and an interactive television system, where the server receives a session transfer request from a first communication device, where the session transfer request includes identification information associated with a second communication device, and where the server transmits a message to the second communication device and transmits a media adjustment message to a media resource server of the internet protocol multimedia subsystem network. The media content is adjusted and transmitted to the second communication device responsive to the media adjustment message, where the adjusted media content is generated by the media resource server based on the identification information associated with the second communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/418,178 filed Apr. 3, 2009 which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication and morespecifically to a method and apparatus for managing communicationsessions.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Media content can be presented in various formats using various types ofdevices, such as set top boxes, mobile devices, personal computers, andso forth. A user utilizing one of these communication devices forviewing media content may desire to switch to another communicationdevice for viewing the media content. Incompatibility of the variousformats and/or devices can complicate the desired switch betweendevices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIGS. 5-6 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIGS. 7-10 depict illustrative embodiments of session transfer flowsoperating in portions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6;

FIG. 11 depict an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovide media services; and

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a computer-readablestorage medium of a Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF)operably coupled to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem network,where the storage medium comprises computer instructions to receive atthe S-CSCF an INVITE message associated with a call to a firstcommunication device from a second communication device, transmit fromthe S-CSCF the INVITE message to an application server and to the firstcommunication device where the application server is operably connectedwith an Interactive Television (ITV) system, receive at the S-CSCF adetermination of satisfaction of an identification threshold performedby the application server based on the INVITE message, and transmit fromthe S-CSCF a NOTIFY message to a set top box operably connected with theITV system when the second communication device satisfies theidentification threshold, where the NOTIFY message includesidentification information associated with the second communicationdevice.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a serveroperably coupleable to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)network and an Internet Protocol Television (ITV) system, where theserver includes a controller to receive a session transfer request froma first communication device operably connected to the ITV system andpresenting media content where the session transfer request includesidentification information associated with a second communication deviceoperably connected to the ITV system, determine whether the sessiontransfer request satisfies a transfer threshold, transmit an INVITEmessage to the second communication device when the session transferrequest satisfies the transfer threshold, and transmit a mediaadjustment message to a media server for adjusting the media content andtransmitting the adjusted media content to the second communicationdevice, where the adjusted media content is generated based on theidentification information associated with the second communicationdevice.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a serveroperably coupleable to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)network and an Interactive Television (ITV) system, where the serverincludes a controller to receive a session transfer request from a firstcommunication device operably connected to the ITV system and presentingmedia content where the session transfer request includes identificationinformation associated with a second communication device operablyconnected to the ITV system, and transmit an INVITE message to thesecond communication device and transmit a media adjustment message to aMedia Resource Function Processor (MRFP) of the IMS network, where themedia content is adjusted and transmitted to the second communicationdevice based on receipt of the media adjustment message, and where theadjusted media content is generated by the MRFP based on theidentification information associated with the second communicationdevice.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a serveroperably coupleable to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)network and an Interactive Television (ITV) system, where the serverincludes a controller to receive a session transfer request from a firstcommunication device operably connected to the ITV system and presentingmedia content where the session transfer request includes identificationinformation associated with a second communication device operablyconnected to the ITV system, transmit the session transfer request to anapplication server, receive an INVITE message from the applicationserver when the session transfer request satisfies a transfer threshold,and transmit the INVITE message to the second communication device,where the media content is adjusted by a Media Resource FunctionProcessor (MRFP) of the IMS network and transmitted to the secondcommunication device by the MRFP based on receipt of a media adjustmentmessage from the application server, and where the adjusted mediacontent is generated by the MRFP based on the identification informationassociated with the second communication device.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a methodincluding receiving a session transfer request from a firstcommunication device operably connected to an Interactive Television(ITV) system and presenting media content where the session transferrequest includes identification information associated with a secondcommunication device operably connected to the ITV system, transmittingan INVITE message to the second communication device, and transmitting amedia adjustment message to a Media Resource Function Processor (MRFP)of an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, where themedia content is adjusted and transmitted to the second communicationdevice based on receipt of the media adjustment message, and where theadjusted media content is generated by the MRFP based on theidentification information associated with the second communicationdevice.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an interactive television system such as an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) broadcast media system. The IPTV media systemcan include a super head-end office (SHO) 110 with at least one superheadend office server (SHS) 111 which receives media content fromsatellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In the presentcontext, media content can represent audio content, moving image contentsuch as videos, still image content, or combinations thereof The SHSserver 111 can forward packets associated with the media content tovideo head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a network of video head-end offices(VHO) 112 according to a common multicast communication protocol. Thepresent disclosure contemplates the use of other interactive televisionsystems, including cable.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). Theaccess network 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone linewiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. Withthese interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130 a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116 by way of a wireless access base station 117operating according to common wireless access protocols such as WirelessFidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM,CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).

In one embodiment, computing devices 130 can comprise a session controlproxy for transferring communication sessions or a portion thereof amongdifferent communication devices. System 100 includes an architecture fordelivering personalized IPTV experiences to the end users. The frameworkcan leverage the IMS system to enable multi-media services, includingsession flows for a single IPTV session switch between multiple set topboxes (STBs) and between a STB and a PC/mobile device SIP user agent,through use of proxy 130. Supplementary services, like caller ID andadvanced telephony features, can also be migrated across multipledevices using the proxy 130.

Proxy 130 can provide the ability for a participant to transfer andretrieve an active media session to one device. Proxy 130 can alsoprovide the ability for a session to be split across multiple devices(such as complete transfer or partial media specific transfer). Proxy130 can provide the ability to also transfer supplementary services(such as CallerID) to the destination device along with the IPTV media.The exemplary embodiments can provide for locating destination devicesin the vicinity of the current device. The techniques for devicediscovery can vary and can include protocols such as Bluetooth or SIPservice location protocol.

It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that asatellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be submitted to the mediaprocessors 106 for generating broadcast channels which can be presentedat the media devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped witha broadband port to the ISP network 132 to enable infrastructureservices such as VoD and EPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It follows from the above illustrations that the present disclosure canapply to any present or future interactive over-the-air or landlinemedia content services.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200.employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS compliant communication devices(CD) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with at the HSS240. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMSCD 201 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message toan originating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries tothe ENUM system 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIPINVITE to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS compliant.

The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submita query to the HSS 240 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associatedwith a terminating IMS CD such as reference 202. Once identified, theI-CSCF 207 can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214. Theterminating S-CSCF 214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216associated with the terminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals theCD 202 to establish communications.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such asreferences 203 or 205, the ENUM system 230 can respond with anunsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout Gateway ControlFunction (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call to theterminating PSTN CD by common means over the PSTN network 260.

The aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 are interchangeable.It is further noted that communication system 200 can be adapted tosupport video conferencing by way of common protocols such as H.323. Inaddition, communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs201, 203 the multimedia and Internet services of communication system100.

The session control proxy 130 of FIG. 1 can be operably coupled to thesecond communication system 200 for purposes similar to those describedabove.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 302 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 302 can be used formanaging services of communication systems 100-200. The portal 302 canbe accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described for FIGS. 1-2. The portal302 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 106 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoDcatalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures,audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the communication devices of FIGS. 1-2. Thecommunication device 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 402 (herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, apower supply 414, a location receiver 416, and a controller 406 formanaging operations thereof The transceiver 402 can support short-rangeor long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi,Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellularcommunication technologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologiescan include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE,EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 402 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include adisplay 410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. Inan embodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or allof the keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device400 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation.

The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point bycommon power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or timeof flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computing technologiessuch as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or avideo processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203 -205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as agaming console and a media player.

FIGS. 5-6 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems 500and 600 employing an IMS network architecture to facilitate the combinedservices of circuit-switched and packet-switched systems to support anIPTV system. Communication systems 500 and 600 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with communication system 100 and/or 200 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of the communication systems.

Systems 500 and 600 represent a layered model and a high-level IPTVnetwork architecture being supported by an IMS infrastructure. Threefunctional layers can be defined which include the service layer, thecontrol layer and the Media layer. The layered architecture canfacilitate interoperability amongst different vendor solutions and canmaintain ease of service creation. The IPTV service layer can providemultimedia services to the end user by means of an IPTV ApplicationPlatform (IAP). The IAP can implement a portal with which a userinteracts, and can include functionalities like the electronic serviceguide (ESG), VoD, and so forth. The IAP can interact with the IPTVTerminal Function (ITF) that handles display and interactivity functionsfor users. In one exemplary embodiment, the IAP can perform functionssuch as content encoding/decoding and buffering, such as for either orboth of unicast and multicast streams. System 500 can be divided into anumber of logically separated parts including a home network, an accessnetwork, an aggregation network, and a service provider domain.

In one exemplary embodiment, the IMS IPTV architecture can utilize userpersonalization. To achieve personalization at the application level(for example personalized EPG's, advertisements, and/or personalizedblended communication services), users or groups of users can have anIPTV profile. The relationship between the IPTV profile and the IMSprofile can depend on a number of factors such as the availability of aHome IMS Gateway (HIGA). The HIGA can be a functional block with anattached ISIM card reader, which can be deployed in the residentialgateway or any other networked consumer equipment. The HIGA cantranslate home signaling, such as SIP, UPnP, and/or HTTP, to IMSsignaling. HIGA can also process NAT traversal and secure connectivitywith the P-CSCF in the IMS domain, as well as identity, devicesubscription, and management inside the home domain and towards the IMScore.

For example, in a home network domain without an IMS gateway, IPTVaccounts can require IMS public/private ID pairs for users of thesystem. These are used to log into the IMS domain. However, since the TVis a social device, the IMS IPTV STB can be provided with a default userwhich represents the household itself (for example, sip:family@op.com).In this way, the STB can be configured to use the default household userto log in to the IMS domain, personalizing itself with the defaultvalues for the whole family. In one embodiment, the STB can beconfigured to make the initial login of a personal user (i.e.sip:dad.family@op.com). In another embodiment, personal user profilesmay be protected with a PIN that needs to be typed in via a remotecontrol to select a particular profile.

In one embodiment, if the household contains a HIGA, the family memberscan choose whether they want to have full IMS identity, one whichenables them full communication capabilities supported by IMS, or theycan opt to just have an IPTV profile, that will use the default IMShousehold identity for authentication purposes. The IPTV profileinformation that needs to be shared between different IMS services canbe stored in the IPTV XDMS database. For instance, this database can beaccessed using XCAP, which works over HTTP. These profiles can be sharedby different users and other stakeholders within the IPTV system.

In another exemplary embodiment, a Multicast Data Channel (MDC) can beprovided which is an IP multicast pipe that allows the IPTV applicationserver (or any other authorized node) to transmit information to allSTBs registered with the IPTV service. For example, each STB can jointhe multicast group upon startup and can continue listening to it for aslong as it is powered up. The MDC can be separated on differentmulticast groups for special purposes. In one embodiment, the MDC cancarry information wrapped in an XML schema, which provides the abilityto differentiate the various pieces of information, such as anelectronic program guide information; a link to download the EPG from aserver; the EPG in XML format; EPG updates; interactivity triggers (suchas in the form of scheduled actions to be displayed/executed in theSTB); an HTML page (such as a pop-up with information or triggering aspecial interactivity mode in the STB); firmware upgrades (such as theMDC carrying an order for all STB's to download an upgrade, immediatelyor schedule to some appropriate time); and/or alert or emergencymessages which can be shown as immediate pop-ups in the STB (such as notdisappearing until the user acknowledges them).

In one embodiment, for each piece of information in the MDC, there canbe a tag with a timestamp, which marks the validity of the information.There can also be a tag that marks whether the information is includedin the XML content (for example the EPG being inside of the XML-wrappedcontent), or whether it should be obtained via some other means (forexample an HTTP GET to a particular server, or a file transfer of sometype). The XML wrapper can contain a set of tags to identify the desiredreceivers of the content. In this way, the MDC can contain informationthat it has tagged to be received by a subset of the STB population.

In one embodiment, tags can include: the channel being watched (such asonly STB's currently displaying that channel will react upon theinformation); age (such as only STB's whose active user falls into theage range will react); region (such as only STB's located in thespecified region will react); gender (such as only STB's whose activeuser has the desired gender will react (if field is populated)). In oneembodiment, the filtering of the received information according to theXML tags can be performed by STB. This can allow users to decide howmuch personal information they want to configure in their personalprofiles in the STB.

Systems 500 and 600 can incorporate or otherwise utilize a control planeof the IPTV architecture that is divided into a set of functions, suchas session setup, media flow setup, media flow control, and non-mediarelated functions. The choice of protocols for each function can re-useexisting standards or ETF standardized protocols. The IMS control layercan include x-CSCFs and an HSS. The S-CSCF can evaluate all originatingand terminating messages and may, based on information of the service,link-in during session setup any number of IMS Application Servers (ASs)to perform desired IPTV services. For all IPTV related SIP messagesoriginating from the ITF, the IPTV AS can be linked-in. For IPTV, theHSS can maintain triggers and filter information for the IPTV PublicService ID (PSI) or the service identifier. The information can bestored and conveyed on a per IMS Application Server basis. This meansthat IMS ASs can be allocated dynamically and that SIP messages can berouted all the time to the same IMS Application Server. The S-CSCF candownload rules and triggers, upon user registration, from the HSS.

In one exemplary embodiment, systems 500 and 600 can monitor a number ofperformance metrics. For instance, transfer delay can be monitored andreduced to provide a smooth transition. The delay can be due to the timefor media buffering or application setup. Media disruption can bemonitored. Frame losses and packet drops during switching can have anundesired impact on the quality of the multimedia session. Destinationdevice capabilities can be monitored. Display size, video resolution andcodec mismatch can be reconciled prior to communication sessiontransfer. Media adaptation or transcoding can be performed prior to orduring handing off.

Systems 500 and 600 can provide access agnostic infrastructure whereservices are independent of the underlying access network; full mobilitywhich can include transparent connectivity across heterogeneousnetworks, protocols and access mechanisms; always on, always availablecapabilities via sessions that cross networks and devices, automaticallyand transparently; user-centric context, both device and contextsensitive; personalized context-aware applications catered to the needsof an individual or a group of individuals; flexible user interfaceenabling users to achieve their goals efficiently; and/or privacy,safety, and security of information to safeguard business and consumerintegrity and protect the digital rights of content creators. Theexemplary embodiments can provide an integrated solution for seamless,networked-based media over three screens (TV, mobile devices, andpersonal computers). The exemplary embodiments can enable portability ofvideo services through IMS. For instance, several handoff scenariosbetween wireline set top boxes and wireless handsets can be achieved.

IMS provides for the core service network being independent of accesstechnology; the same application and service being available from anyaccess method or device; the ability to migrate and deploy across fixedand mobile users; the standards allowing scalable deployment of newservices; evolution to combined services for enhanced user experience(presence, messaging, address book); built-in security such as identitymanagement, authentication, authorization and service access;centralized user profiles shared between applications; architecturedesigned for scalability and redundancy; common solutions to achieveQuality of Service; and/or common Provisioning

The exemplary embodiments can provide session mobility through use of anumber of different components. For instance, a Correspondent Node (CN),a Mobile Node (MN), one or more local devices used as targets forsession transfer, Directory Agent (DA), and/or a transcoder can beutilized. The CN can be a multimedia endpoint being used by a remoteparticipant and may be located anywhere. The CN can be a SIP User Agent(UA), or a Public System Telephone Network (PSTN) phone reachablethrough a gateway. The MN can be a mobile device, containing a SIP UAfor standard SIP call setup, as well as SIP-handling capabilities forsession mobility and a User Agent (UA) for discovering local devices.

Referring to FIG. 7, a session transfer process 700 to a single deviceis shown utilizing mobile node control mode. In the mobile node controlmode, the MN can use a third party call control. The MN can establish anSIP session with each device used in the transfer and can update itssession with the CN, using the SDP parameters to establish mediasessions between the CN and each device, which take the place of thecurrent media session with the CN. The MN remains active to maintain thesessions.

Referring to FIG. 8, a session transfer process 800 to a single deviceis shown utilizing session handoff mode. In session handoff mode, thesession can be completely transferred, relinquishing control of bothmedia and signaling to another device. Session handoff mode can use anSIP REFER method. This message can include a request sent by a “referer”to a “referee,” which “refers” it to another URI, the “refer target,”which may be a SIP URI to be contacted with an INVITE or other request,or a non-SIP URI, such as a web page. This URI can be specified in the“Refer-To” header. The “Referred-By” header can be used to give thereferer's identity which is sent to the refer target for authorization.Various headers from this message may also be encrypted and sent in themessage body as S/MIME to authenticate the REFER request.

A process 900 for transferring an IMS IPTV session with all itsassociated embedded applications is shown in FIG. 9. Process 900 caninclude the IPTV AS being in control of the state information to betransferred to the new device. For example, one possible applicationcould be callerID being displayed by an STB on a television screen. ThecallerID on screen embedded application can be personalized to the userlogged in to the IMS IPTV service, so that only those users that haverequested the application will see the callerID popup in the device(viewing station). The callerID process can include sending a SIPSUBSCRIBE for a callerID event to the IPTV AS, including a dedicatedcallerID AS. The SUBSCRIBE message can include the informationassociated with the caller, such as the URI, that the user wants toreceive callerID information for. The AS can perform an identificationthreshold check, such as by determining the rights of the user toreceive callerID information for the requested number, and can accept orreject the subscription.

In one exemplary embodiment, when a VoIP call is received for the familyVoIP phone, the S-CSCF can forward the SIP INVITE towards the IPTV AS,which retrieves the To and From URI's and can answer with a 488 serviceunavailable. At the same time, the original INVITE can be forwarded tothe recipient IP phone, which can proceed with the normal call handling.The AS can then check the active subscriptions to the called URI, andgenerate a SIP NOTIFY that contains the caller URI to each one of theactive subscriptions. For instance, and as shown in FIG. 9, both aCallerID on screen in the STB and a pager device will receive the NOTIFYand show the desired information.

Referring to FIG. 10, once the CallerID application is running on adevice as part of an IPTV session a session transfer process 1000 canprovide for transferring the state of the called application. Process1000 depicts a session transfer from a STB to a PC. For instance, thisscenario could correspond to a family in which a member is watching apersonalized TV session in the living room TV but when new membersarrive, he or she decides to move the TV session to a PC in his or herroom.

In one embodiment, when the user logged into the STB desires to transferthe personalized TV session to his or her other device, including amobile device, a menu in the STB can be utilized that allows sending thesession to a predefined PC client, a predefined mobile or a differentsip: URI. For instance, the user can configure the sip URI's of hismobile device when building the configuration profile for the IMS IPTVservice. When the user selects the ‘Transfer to PC’ menu item, a SIPREFER can be triggered towards the IPTV AS with a Refer-To headerpointing to the sip URI of the PC client. The IPTV AS can receive theREFER message and can check for the required rights to transfer thesession to the new device. If the rights are correct then the AS cananswer with an Accepted message and can retrieve the state informationof the user's IMS IPTV session. The state information can include themedia characteristics as defined by the sdp negotiation in theassociated INVITE to set up the media pipe, the channel being watchedand position in the media (if watching VoD), which can be maintained bythe AS and updated by the client when the channel zapping stabilizes,and the associated state for the session-embedded applications.

For instance, the application's state can be the callerID tel URI thatthe user has subscribed to. The IPTV AS can then send an SIP INVITEtowards the new device (such as the receiving PC client), with an SDPthat describes the media to be transferred as well as the other elementsof the session state information, and in parallel can command thecomponents of the media plane to prepare the media for thecharacteristics of the new device if needed. The interaction with themedia plane can occur via the Mp interface towards the MultimediaResource Function controller (MRFC). The MRFC can be a media controlnode which is able to locate the required asset in a media distributionor caching overlay, and control (using the Mp interface) the MediaResource Function Processor (MRFP) for transcoding the asset to therequired or desired format for the new device. The receiving client canthen complete the INVITE dialog and send a SUBSCRIBE message to theevent associated with the tel URI received as part of the INVITE fromthe IPTV AS. When the INVITE dialog completes then the IPTV AS caninstruct the required media nodes to transmit the media to the newdevice and send a SIP NOTIFY to the referrer node announcing that thetransfer was completed successfully. Upon receiving the NOTIFY with thesuccessful completion of the REFER, the referring client can choose toterminate the previous IMS IPTV session or keep it active. Thisdetermination can be made by the referrer when sending the SIP REFER, sothat the session transfer becomes a session replication. Once thesession has been transferred to the new device, any NOTIFY messagetriggered by an external VoIP call will be automatically sent to the newdevice and to the old device (if the referrer decides to replicateinstead of transfer) or only to the new device if the referring sessionhas been terminated.

EXAMPLE

Referring to FIG. 11, a communication system 1100 is shown forimplementing an IPTV session transfer using IMS functionality. The homedomain can include two IMS IPTV clients running in two emulated STBs onLinux PC machines. For instance, the first client can be the STB in thefamily living room that is connected to a TV. The second client can bethe personal PC of the user doing the session transfer. A VoIP phone isas well connected to the home domain and registered in the IMS operatoras tel:+1234@operator.com. The home gateway can be connected to a routerto which the different network nodes are attached. The IMS core caninclude a P-CSCF and a S-CSCF running on a Linux PC with an emulatedHSS. The CSCFs are based on an OpenSER SIP router. The media plane canbe provided by a set of VLC (Video LAN media server) instances runningin a separate PC. Live TV (i.e., multicast MPEG2-TS flows) can bestreamed from the media server; VLC commands can be sent via a telnetinterface from the AS to control the VoD assets.

System 1100 was evaluated for a processing delay for the sessiontransfer in the AS, which represents the time it takes from the momentthe user presses the menu ‘Transfer to my PC’ until a message pops up inthe PC screen asking to accept the session transfer. The time was on theorder of 450 ms, which corresponds to the REFER, state check in the ASand INVITE being sent. System 1100 was evaluated for a media startupdelay in the client which corresponds to the time it takes from themoment the receiving client accepts the session transfer until the mediaappears on the screen. This time includes the average waiting time foran I-frame in the client media player and the buffering the client. Forlive TV (i.e. MPEG2-TS multicast) the waiting time was approximately twoseconds, which corresponds to a GOP size of approximately five secondsof MPEG-2 encoded media. For VoD, the time corresponds to the ASinstructing the media server to start the streaming and locate the pointwhere the VoD was when the REFER event was received and its value wasunder three seconds for the VoD assets that were being used (H.264encoded RTP streams with a movie length of five minutes).

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, transfer sessions canbe performed between multiple different devices such as from an STB to aPC and a mobile device. Supplementary services, beyond the exemplaryCallerID, can also be transferred to the new sessions, such as callforwarding, conference calling, and so forth. The exemplary embodimentsallow for transferring sessions that are associated with various mediacontent types and the type of media is not intended to be limiting. Forinstance, session transfers can be performed when a user desires toswitch the on-going video conference from his or her mobile device tohis or her STB.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 1200 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 1200 may include a processor 1202 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 1204 and a static memory 1206, which communicate with each othervia a bus 1208. The computer system 1200 may further include a videodisplay unit 1210 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system1200 may include an input device 1212 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursorcontrol device 1214 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1216, a signalgeneration device 1218 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a networkinterface device 1220.

The disk drive unit 1216 may include a machine-readable medium 1222 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 1224)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 1224may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 1204, the static memory 1206, and/or within the processor 1202during execution thereof by the computer system 1200. The main memory1204 and the processor 1202 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 1224, or that which receives and executes instructions 1224from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 1226 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 1226 using the instructions 1224. Theinstructions 1224 may further be transmitted or received over a network1226 via the network interface device 1220.

While the machine-readable medium 1222 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-readable storage device comprising computer instructions which, responsive to being executed by a server of an internes protocol multimedia subsystem network, causes the server to perform operations comprising: receiving at the server a communication request message associated with a communication session directed to a first communication device from a second communication device; transmitting from the server the communication request message to an application server and to the first communication device, wherein the application server is operably connected with an interactive television system; receiving at the server a determination of satisfaction of an identification threshold for the second communication device, wherein the determination is performed by the application server based on the communication request message; and transmitting from the server a notification message to a media processor operably connected with the interactive television system responsive to the determination of the satisfaction, wherein the notification message includes identification information associated with the second communication device.
 2. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the determination of the satisfaction of the identification threshold is based on a user profile.
 3. The computer-readable storage device of claim 2, wherein the user profile is associated with the first communication device.
 4. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the media processor corresponds to a set top box that presents the identification information based on the notification message.
 5. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting from the server the notification message to a third communication device responsive to the determination of satisfaction.
 6. The computer-readable storage device of claim 5, wherein the third communication device is a pager.
 7. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the communication request message to the application server and to the first communication device comprises simultaneously transmitting the communication request message to the application server and to the first communication device.
 8. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the first and second communication devices are voice over internet phones, and wherein the application server controls state information to be transferred to the media processor.
 9. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the application server retrieves uniform resource identifier data associated with the second communication device.
 10. A server operably coupleable to an internet protocol multimedia subsystem network and an interactive television system, wherein the server comprises: a memory to store computer instructions; and a controller coupled with the memory, wherein the controller, responsive to executing the computer instructions, performs operations comprising: receiving a communication request message associated with a communication session directed to a first communication device from a second communication device; transmitting the communication request message to an application server and to the first communication device, wherein the application server is operably connected with an interactive television system; receiving a determination of satisfaction of an identification threshold for the second communication device, wherein the determination is performed by the application server based on the communication request message; and transmitting from the server a notification message to a media processor operably connected with the interactive television system responsive to the determination of the satisfaction, wherein the notification message includes identification information associated with the second communication device.
 11. The server of claim 10, wherein the determination of the satisfaction of the identification threshold is based on a user profile.
 12. The server of claim 11, wherein the user profile is associated with the first communication device.
 13. The server of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting from the server the notification message to a third communication device responsive to the determination of satisfaction.
 14. The server of claim 10, wherein the application server controls state information to be transferred to the media processor.
 15. A method, comprising: receiving, by a server, a session transfer request from a first communication device operably connected to an interactive television system, the session transfer request comprising identification information associated with a second communication device, the session transfer request being subject to a determination of satisfaction of a transfer threshold, wherein the determination is based on a user profile; transmitting from the server a communication request message to the second communication device; and transmitting from the server a media adjustment message to a media resource server of an internet protocol multimedia subsystem network, wherein media content associated with the first communication device is adjusted to generate adjusted media content and is transmitted to the second communication device responsive to the transmitting of the media adjustment message, the adjusted media content being generated by the media resource server based on the identification information associated with the second communication device.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the media adjustment message is transmitted from an application server operably connected to the interactive television system.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication request message is transmitted from a serving call session control function.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first communication device is a set top box.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the user profile is associated with the first communication device.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the application server controls state information to be transferred to the second communication device. 